More than half of the frostbite cases treated by Horizon Health Network over the past two winters have involved homeless people.
As statistics show, there were nine cases last winter.
Five of them, or 55 percent, reported being homeless or living on the streets, said Dr Patricia Bryden, clinical director of the Horizon surgical service.
In two cases, amputations occurred, she said.
Last year, there were 15 cases of frostbite. Nine of them (60 percent) affected homeless people, and two resulted in amputations.
Amputation “very rare”
“The most common cause of frostbite is prolonged exposure to cold weather, which freezes the skin and underlying tissue, so homeless people are often at higher risk,” Bryden said in an emailed statement.
Most cases of frostbite are treatable, but if left untreated the consequences can be serious, she said.
Amputations are “very rare and are only used in the most severe cases”.
Last month, a homeless Saint John man lost his left leg below the knee and half of his right foot due to severe frostbite.
Jamie Langille, 43, who has been living in a tent in a wooded area in the city centre for about three years, said he fell asleep one night with wet feet. His feet froze and he developed gangrene, the death of body tissue.
“Frostbite is preventable, and a few simple steps – such as wearing layers of warm, dry clothing, avoiding prolonged exposure to cold and wind, and recognizing the signs of frostbite when they occur – can reduce the risk,” Bryden said.
“Shocking, but not surprising”
Johanne McCullough, founder and director of Street Team SJ, which provides food and supplies to the homeless, calls the statistics “shocking but not surprising.”
“This is a shocking number. It should shock us, right? But it is also not surprising when you consider the conditions in which people live every day.”
Johanne McCullough, founder and director of Street Team SJ, hopes to prevent future cases of frostbite and amputation among the homeless. (Submitted by Johanne McCullough)
McCullough expects similar numbers this winter, but said her group is doing what it can to prevent further cases.
“We try to educate the people we meet and offer them as much as we can to keep them safe,” she said.
Street Team SJ launched a special fundraiser for hand and foot warmers after Langille’s case and has already received about 40 boxes of about 40 each. That should be enough to get through the season, and there may even be some left over for next year, McCullough said.
“It’s been really – I don’t want to call it ‘overwhelming,’ but at times it has been. It’s definitely filling our shelves here.”
In addition, donations were received in the form of warm clothing, boots, blankets and food, as well as monetary donations, which were used to purchase several sleeping bags designed for -32 °C and waterproof emergency sleeping bags.
“It was incredible.”
McCullough said she’s gotten used to the community stepping in and helping when needed, but she’s been “overwhelmed” by how full Street Team SJ’s shelves have become with donated items in recent weeks. (Submitted by Johanne McCullough)
McCullough said they could use more sweatpants, especially for men in sizes medium and large, as well as hats, gloves and socks. They accept new and used items.
Tea lights are also on her wish list. “They burn long enough to warm a small room, but they don’t burn for 10 hours at a time because they’re so small. So with a shorter burn time, the risk of fire is lower.”
In the meantime, a nurse who volunteers with Street Team SJ has been training team members on what to look for in cases of frostbite and what advice they can give people to protect their limbs, McCullough said.
Hats, gloves and socks are “constantly in-demand items,” McCullough said. Sweatpants and sweatshirts are also in high demand because they fit many people, she said. (Submitted by Johanne McCullough)
“The most important thing is to let the limbs thaw and warm up again. It’s difficult, but the most important thing is not to let them freeze again,” she said.
“It’s difficult… when you live outside. Ultimately, the solution is not to live outside, right?”
As statistics show, in 2020-21, only one of the seven frostbite cases treated by Horizon was a homeless person. Two people required amputation.
According to the data, homelessness was not identified in any of the six frostbite cases in 2019-20 or the seven cases in 2018-19. There were no amputations.
